Scripture: John 2:15 (ESV) – “And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.”
J.C. Ryle, in his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, vividly captures the righteous anger of Jesus in this verse. The scene is striking: Jesus, the meek and humble Savior, boldly acts to cleanse His Father’s house. His actions demonstrate that there is a place for righteous indignation when God’s holiness is profaned.
Ryle emphasizes the symbolic and spiritual importance of this act. The temple, intended to be a place of prayer and worship, had been corrupted into a marketplace. Jesus’ decisive action—driving out the merchants, overturning the tables, and pouring out the coins—underscores His zeal for the purity of worship. This event reveals His authority as the Son of God, who has the right to cleanse and reclaim His Father’s house.
The whip of cords used by Jesus is significant. Ryle points out that this was not an act of uncontrolled rage but of deliberate and purposeful action. Jesus is not motivated by personal offense but by a holy zeal to restore the sanctity of the temple. This reminds us that true zeal for God is rooted in love for His glory and a desire for His worship to be honored.
Ryle also draws attention to the deeper spiritual meaning of this event. It foreshadows the greater cleansing work Jesus came to do—not just of the temple but of human hearts. Just as He drove out what defiled the temple, He desires to purify our lives from sin and distractions that hinder true worship.
Reflection Questions:
- How does Jesus’ zeal for the purity of worship challenge you to examine your own approach to worship?
- Are there areas in your life that need to be “cleansed” so that you can honor God more fully?
- How can you cultivate a holy zeal for God’s glory in your daily life?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your zeal for true worship and for showing us the importance of honoring God in all we do. Cleanse our hearts and lives of anything that distracts from Your glory and hinders our worship. Teach us to approach You with reverence and love, and may our worship be pleasing to You. Give us a holy zeal for Your name, that we might live for Your glory in every aspect of our lives. In Your name, Amen.
*This devotional is based on J.C. Ryle’s insights from his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 